MALVERN Town turned in a much improved performance at Little Drayton on Saturday and strengthened their claim for a top five Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division finish.

LITTLE DRAYTON RANGERS 0, MALVERN TOWN 2

Without injury victims Craig Williams, Des Cox, Steve Walker and Billy Davis, Town were also without both John Walton and Chris Palmer, who have both left the club in the aftermath of the shake up following Wednesday's Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup defeat at home to Wellington.

However, Town were unrecognisable from the side that has recently suffered a slump in form and fully deserved this success against their fourth-placed hosts.

In a good all round team performance it was Luke Willetts who proved a constant threat to the home side's defence, with a series of powerful runs. But it was Rik Halion who put Town in front after 28 minutes, when his looping header from a corner, squeezed in under the crossbar, despite the frantic attempts of a defender to clear.

The second period saw Drayton take more of the game to Malvern and Melvyn Watson kept them in front with an outstanding save from a powerful point blank header in the 65th minute.

The value of Watson's save was underlined just five minutes later, when Willetts beat off the attentions of two defenders, to round the goalkeeper and slot home, also picking up a nasty cut on the forehead in the process.

The contest was as good as over at this point, and Town were able to give U18 players Jamie Thomas and Mikey Cole a slice of the action in the remaining minutes.

After the game Town boss Neil Hunt said: "There was more than a frank exchange of views after last Wednesday's game, and on paper Little Drayton is not the easiest place to come to, when you are looking for a response, but despite the injuries we have at the moment and the departures of John and Chris, this result showed that we have the ability to respond.

"In a good all round team performance, I thought that Andy Chalmers had his best game for the club so far, Luke Willetts was also outstanding and Rik Halion led the side excellently, it was also a bonus to give the youth team players a run as well, especially Mikey as it marked his first appearance at this level."

An inexperienced Reserve side went down 4-1 at home to Wyre Forest Brintons last Saturday, in the West Midlands League Division One (S). Tomorrow (Saturday) they are in league action again, when they visit Mahal (2.45pm).

The Reserves second round Supplementary League Cup tie at home to Bridgnorth Reserves, has been arranged for Thursday, April 24 (7.45pm).

The Town U18s remain on course for a top four Midland Youth League finish, following a 1-1 draw against Worcester City at the Langland Stadium last Thursday.

The youngsters were without a game this week, but next Wednesday visit Pershore Town (7.30pm), in another league fixture.

County Cup win

THE strength of Town's burgeoning youth structure was emphasised yet again on Sunday night, when what is an U17 side lifted the Worcestershire County U18 Cup.

Playing at Worcester City's St George's Lane, Town defeated Kingscote Albion 2-0, courtesy of a first half strike from Simon Baker and a late goal from Olly Endicott.